In addition to Warfarin and Diltiazem, is it normal to be prescribed a statin for permanent AFib?

[bc109]

[BobD Volunteer]

There is a school of thought which feels that statins are useful in AF. What has your cholesterol level been like?

Bob

[dedeottie in reply to BobD]

I have been put on this even though my cholesterol was 5 . I was told that as well as cholesterol lowering it also has a heart protecting role especially in A.F. patients.x

[bc109 in reply to BobD]

My cholesterol was 5.6 but it's not been checked since going on Simvastatin, but (apart from Afib) my heart is in good nick.

[bc109 in reply to BobD]

My cholesterol was 5.6 but it's not been checked since going on Simvastatin.

[bc109 in reply to BobD]

My cholesterol was 5.6 but it's not been checked since going on Simvastatin.

[bc109 in reply to BobD]

My cholesterol was 5.6 but it's not been checked since going on Simvastatin, but (apart from Afib) my heart is in good nick.

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi bc

Well I am on exactly the same drugs and also am in persistent A Fib, and it really depends on what they found when they did all the tests on you.

For me, they found valves OK, no blockages of the arteries, BUT there was a lot of "free calcium" which I have tried to find out exactly what it is, but suffice to say, it's gunge which if it settled would cause problems.

So as well as your drugs I take a small aspirin each day which helps to keep down the free calcium. My Cholesterol scores were low on the bad cholesterol (good) but also low on the good cholesterol (Not so good) so I am on statins simply as a preventative.

Bob's comments are new to me, and I would be happy to explore them, but I am very aware that statins are just being prescribed now especially to men "of a certain age" You look younger than me

But generally I would say what you are on appears to be pretty common for us persistent buggers.

take care

Ian

[bc109 in reply to Beancounter]

Hi Bc

Like you, my valves and arteries were pronounced OK, but cholesterol (total) was 5.6.

However, I wasn't aware that cholesterol played any role in left atrial appendage clot formation - hence my statin query.

I suspect that my GP merely prescribed a statin in order to be seen to comply with current government guidelines.

I concur with your comments re. men "of a certain age", although sadly my picture is over twenty years old (its the only digital image I have).

I appreciate the feedback, my GP appears to be totally clueless.

Mike.

[Hidden]

G'day bc109,

I was prescribed 40mg Simvastatin a day at least 3 years (so I would have been about 62) before I was visited by AF. Prior to being prescribed, my Cholesterol was averaging 5.6 now it averages about 3.3. Have no idea whether this is related to good or bad cholesterol. Now I'm 4 years into AF I'm still on same dose. To be honest - I don't even think about it.

Aussie John

[bc109 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that John. My cholesterol was the same as yours (5.6).

Mike.

[Hidden]

I have recently been prescribed statins because my cholesterol level was 4.5. I was told that this would be fine if I hadn't had an a/f related TIA. In which case they prefer the reading to be less than 4 as a precaution. Perhaps your prescription for statins is precautionary?

Anne

[bc109 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Anne,

I recently had a TIA and was told virtually the same thing.

I agree, the statin is probably just a precaution.

Mike

[Hidden]

Not exactly on topic but I was on Simvastatin 40mg a day, and took myself off a year ago because of muscle spasms. But my cholesterol reading has shot up to 6.9, although I think it is more more to do with having gone tee-total recently. Anyhow, they've just put me on Lipitor, which is more expensive and not supposed to be associated with muscle problems. Think that's what she said.

Wish I could drink the red wine again because my cholesterol was OK'ish till I stopped even without statins, bother!!!

In answer to the OP, I was prescribed statins alongside rhythm control drugs when originally diagnosed, but that was because my cholesterol was 7.1, not sure it was directly related to having AF.

Koll

[bc109 in reply to Hidden]

I was more concerned about the reports of cateracts than anything, but I've also heard that lots of people suffer with muscle wastage.

[Offcut]

I have never understood why I am on statins I was 3.5 before and I am 3.5 now after 12 years

[Hidden in reply to Offcut]

You're not the only one who doesn't understand it Offcut !!! That doesn't make sense to me either.

[Offcut in reply to Hidden]

I question it every time I see the cardiologist but they will not take me off them and do not seem to want to tell me why. They have been very open about everything else. It might be that I have so much scaring it may help? I am up for a pace and ablate this year. I will see what tablet changes I have after the sinus node is removed?